Tournament Beneficiaries

DRIVEN by the needs of people with diabetes, the mission of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. We work to accomplish this by finding and funding the best and most relevant research to help achieve a cure for this devastating disease through

· Restoration of normal blood sugar levels

· Avoidance and reversal of complications

· Prevention of diabetes and its recurrence

With your help, we are moving research from the laboratory bench to the patient's bedside, translating scientific advances into longer, healthier lives for those with diabetes. With your help, we are moving closer to our goal ... a cure for diabetes and its complications.

Camp Juliet
Makes a Difference for Children with Diabetes

"Where do I begin to thank you for all of the time, love and care? I can't tell you what a huge impact you've all had on me. From the first day at Camp Juliet when I was seven until the last day of camp at age 16, you've all cared for and loved me... I still remember camp when we were at the Boy Scout Camp...the Army tents, the BUGS and well - fun - lots of it! Every year has been just as good as the first. I've learned so much - from life lessons to friendships to diabetes care. You can count on me as a counselor in training (CIT) soon!"

These words penned by Caroline Yarborough of Edgefield, S.C., sum up what Camp Juliet has meant to children with diabetes for the past 17 years. Like many campers, Caroline did not know other kids with diabetes until she came to Camp Juliet where children ages 7-16 enjoy a normal summer camp experience thanks to support from University Health Care Foundation.

Camp Juliet would not be possible without gifts made annually to the Foundation's Tree of Love campaign combined with generous contributions from pharmaceutical companies, local businesses and individual donors.

Equally important to the camp's success is the commitment of physicians, nurses and others in the community who volunteer their time as counselors. These volunteers work under the guidance of Ian Herskowitz, M.D., a medical endocrinologist who practices at University Hospital and serves as the camp's medical director.

Camp Juliet is recognized by the International Camping Association.

Contact Camp Director Debra Whitley, R.N., CDE, at 706/868-3237 or at dwhitley@uh.org to learn more.

What is Juvenile Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition caused by the body's inability to break down glucose (sugars) and store them properly. When an individual's system is unable to efficiently process glucose, it will back up in the person's bloodstream creating multiple health problems.

Over thirty thousand individuals will be diagnosed with diabetes this year alone. It is estimated that over one hundred and twenty million individuals worldwide have diabetes. It is further estimated that approximately five million individuals have diabetes that has yet to be diagnosed.

Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes is called Juvenile Diabetes as the onset of it begins in childhood. Children diagnosed with juvenile diabetes are insulin dependent. Insulin is the hormone that enables our body to convert the food we eat into energy which is necessary to function normally. Current research indicates that juvenile diabetes is an auto-immune disorder, similar to other disorders such as; rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis. A small percentage of individuals may also develop thyroid conditions.

You can find out more at http://www.jdrf.org/